Federal scientists have concluded that marijuana is not as risky or prone to abuse as other tightly controlled substances, and it has potential medical benefits. As a result, they recommend removing it from the nation’s most restrictive category of drugs.
The 250-page scientific review containing these recommendations was provided to Matthew Zorn, a Texas lawyer who sued Health and Human Services officials for its release. An H.H.S. official confirmed the authenticity of the document, which was published online on Friday night.
This review sheds light on the thinking of federal health officials who are considering a significant change. The agencies involved have not publicly commented on their debates over what amounts to a reconsideration of marijuana at the federal level.
Since 1970, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin. Schedule I drugs are considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse, carrying severe criminal penalties under federal trafficking laws.
The documents show that scientists at the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse have recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, alongside drugs like ketamine and testosterone, which are available by prescription.
The review by federal scientists found that although marijuana is the most frequently abused illicit drug, it “does not produce serious outcomes compared to drugs in Schedules I or II.”
The analysis also noted that marijuana abuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence, but the likelihood of serious outcomes is low. The review acknowledged some “scientific support” for therapeutic uses of marijuana, including treatment of anorexia, pain, and nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.
Federal officials cautioned that their analysis does not establish the safety and effectiveness of marijuana in a way that would support F.D.A. approval, but it does support some medical uses of marijuana.
The F.D.A. advised the Drug Enforcement Administration to recategorize marijuana last August, breaking from decades of precedent. The D.E.A. is expected to formally announce its decision within months, subject to public comment and debate.
